Defense Undersecretary and PVAO Administrator Ernesto Carolina with the Baguio City officials led by Acting Mayor Faustino Olowan recognize the heroism of the World War II heroes during the 74th National Victory Day celebration at the Veterans Park in Baguio City on Tuesday, September 3. (RMC- PIA CAR)

TESDA at 25. TESDA - CAR Regional Director Manuel Wong and DTI Baguio - Benguet Director Freda Gawisan leads other partners from DOLE and Baguio PESO, in a Kapihan media forum, to promote the scheduled activities for TESDA's 25th Anniversary that will be highlighted by the

World class skilled Workers. PEZA Baguio deputy Zone Administrator Allan Datahan, in his keynote message at the TESDA - CAR 25 years anniversary awards and recognition program, affirms a continuing partnership with TESDA, not only in bringing work opportunity for Tech - Voc graduates inside the special economic zone but also in skills training to ensure that Filipino workforce will be globally competitive and responsive to the manpower needs of industries/investors. (Lito Dar/PIA CAR)

TESDA@25. Bartending students from the Baguio City School of Arts and Trade gives a demonstration on wine mixing during the TESDA - CAR led Kapihan media forum for the promotion of the scheduled activities for TESDA's 25th Anniversary that will be highlighted by the

Smoke Free Baguio. City Health Officials with partners and community stakeholders strengthens convergence for the attainment of the objectives of Baguio's Comprehensive Tobacco Control Ordinance through the first Smoke Free Baguio Convention at Venus Parkview Hotel, Tuesday. (Lito Dar/PIA CAR)

WWII photo exhibit opens at Saint Louis University

BAGUIO CITY, Sept.6 (PIA) -- The travelling photo exhibit featuring the story of the Filipino heroes of the World War II is now on display at the Saint Louis University(SLU) here until September 18.

World War II veteran Alberto Bugtong and Philippine Veterans Bank Vice President Miguel Villa-real led the opening of the photo exhibit entitled “War of Our Fathers – A Tribute to Filipino Freedom Fighters” by the Philippine Veterans Bank at the Saint Louis University - Diego Silang lobby during the Victory Day celebration on September 3. Also present are Philippine Veterans Affairs Office Historical Veteran Memorial and Historical Division chief Resituto Aguilar, SLU President Fr. Gilbert Sales and Baguio City officials.

The photo exhibit entitled “War of Our Fathers – A Tribute to Filipino Freedom Fighters” by the Philippine Veterans Bank (PVB) was formally opened with the Philippine Veterans Affairs Office (PVAO), city government of Baguio, SLU officials and World War II Veteran Alberto Bugtong at SLU’s Diego Silang lobby on Tuesday, September 3, during the celebration of the National Victory Day.

PVB Vice President Miguel Villa-real said the multi-awarded traveling exhibit will give the people of Baguio a glimpse of what World War II in the Philippines was like through its numerous photographs, artifacts, and memorabilia that pay homage to the bravery, patriotism, and determination of Filipino men and women who fought and died during the war for the country’s freedom.

Villa-real said they are bringing back to the City the photo exhibit that focuses on Baguio City and Northern Luzon stories of the second world war since photos that people see or relate to are the best ones that connect to the people. The exhibit he said is a tribute to the original stakeholders of the bank, the World War II veterans.

PVAO Historical Veteran Memorial and Historical Division chief Resituto Aguilar thanked SLU for hosting the photo exhibit. He said the exhibit is only part of the rich history of the Filipinos during WWII that needs to be re-written with the perspective of the Filipino heroes, the war veterans.

He also encouraged SLU to collaborate with the PVAO in bringing more war history to the school and to the city to be used as reference and reading materials of the students and even the teachers.

In response, SLU President Fr. Gilbert Sales thanked the PVB for bringing the exhibit to SLU and opening it on a historic day, the celebration of the 74th Victory Day or the commemoration of the surrender signing of the Instrument of Surrender by Japanese General Tomoyuki Yamashita at the American High Commissioners Residence in Camp John Hay in Baguio City on September 3, 1945.

Fr. Sales said that the gallery of rare and archival pieces is quite educational, with a wealth of information, which is truly rich in history. Through this exhibit, viewers mostly students not only from SLU but for all schools in Baguio City and nearby towns, will witness the Filipinos love for country, valor and sense of sacrifice exemplified during World War II.

A student viewsphotographs of Baguio City during the World War II featured at the photo exhibit entitled “War of Our Fathers – A Tribute to Filipino Freedom Fighters” by the Philippine Veterans Bank created in honor of the World War II heroes at the SLU Diego Silang Lobby. (RMC- PIA CAR)

He noted that Baguio City including SLU saw and suffered the horrors of the war and some photographs are shown in the exhibit. From the CICM archives is that iconic photograph taken of General Dwight Eisenhower with pioneer CICM missionaries Fr. Florimond Carlu and Msgr. Joseph Billet with the Saint Louis Building in ruins in the background.

“Through this array of photographs, articles and fascinating memorabilia that go back to the time of the war, we can provide an opportunity for the young generation to understand and appreciate the “War of our Fathers” exhibit. Through this pictorial history, our young people today can express thanks with a sense of sentiment to the Filipino World War II heroes for their valiant stance in defense of our country’s freedom,” Sales said.

Sales invited students to reconnect with the country’s past by remembering and honoring the sacrifices of those Filipino soldiers who fought and gave their lives during the war.

“You are now benefiting the freedom they had fought for your generation,” he said.

“To our dear students, use your freedom responsibly. It is a gift from God. Use it for God’s greater glory. So study hard and strive to become good citizens. Practice discipline in all that you do including in the use of social media. Finally, pursue peace at all cost because war is too high a price to pay. However, when you are called upon to defend your country, do not hesitate to heed the call like what our Filipino World War II heroes had done," he added.

The exhibit is open to the public particularly to students in the City and nearby towns. (JDP/ RMC- PIA CAR)

MAASIN CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- More than 3,000 crown-of-thorns (COTs), specie of starfish, were seen in the waters of Malitbog town alone according to Aileen Estrera, member of the province’s Sangguniang Panlalawigan, citing a recent survey conducted by the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU).

SURIGAO CITY, Surigao del Norte, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- The institutions and individuals who displayed excellence in the performance and delivery of services for the Surigaonons received an award during the 30th Rotary Outstanding Surigaonon Awards (ROSA) ceremony held here recently.

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Sept. 6 (PIA) -- Civil Service Commission (CSC) OIC-Regional Director Rosalinda Tanalaga-Oliva highlighted the significant changes in the Philippine Civil Service over the past century.

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 12 (PIA) - - Ranking officials reiterated the government’s call for the active participation of all sectors of society in ensuring good governance, accountability and transparency programs and policies in bringing inclusive growth and progress to the country and to the people.

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- Two young professionals from this city are among the 27 youth leaders from across the country selected as Philippine Ambassadors of Goodwill for the 46th Ship for Southeast Asian and Japanese Youth Program (SSEAYP).

BAGUIO CITY, Sept. 13 (PIA) - - Accounting of water resources in the Cordillera Administrative Region(CAR) is set into motion with the Philippine Statistics Authority regional office (PSA) convening a joint meeting – workshop of the Task Force Water Resource Accounting and the Technical Working Group on Environment Statistics .

Benguet

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Sept. 12(PIA) -- The Department of Education – Cordillera has directed all public and private schools in the region to conduct activities to commemorate the 1986 Mount Data “Sipat” or Peace Accord every September 13.

ITOGON, Benguet, Sept. 13 (PIA) -- The municipal government of Itogon will conduct rituals to commemorate the first year anniversary of the tragic landslide that hit the province of Benguet and this town at the height of typhoon Ompong last year.

LA TRINIDAD, Benguet, Sept. 13 (PIA) - - The Provincial Rabies Control Consultative Committee gathered various stakeholders for a consultative meeting to bolster programs and activities for the prevention, control and the ultimate eradication of rabies in the province.

Mt. Province

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Aug. 31(PIA) -- Sangguniang Kabataan(SK) members in the province celebrated the Linggo ng Kabataan with various activities actively participated by out-of-school youth, in-school youth and working youth of the different municipalities in the province.

BONTOC, Mountain Province – The House of Representatives approved on first reading a proposed bill seeking for the termination of the collection of toll fees along the portion of the Benguet road, popularly known as Kennon road, from Klondykes Spring to Camp 6, repealing for the purpose Executive Order No. 34, series of 1954 as amended.

BONTOC, Mountain Province, Aug. 6(PIA) -- To raise community awareness and to inculcate health and nutrition habits for children at an early age for healthy living, the provincial government conducted Healthy Mother and Child and cooking contests in celebration of this year’s Nutrition Month.

BONTOC, Mountain Province, July 22 (PIA) -- The Provincial Livelihood Program (PLP) of the Provincial Government here continues to provide livelihood assistance to qualified individuals in the province.

LAGAWE, Ifugao, Aug. 15 (PIA) - - In line with the goal to eliminate human rabies by the year 2020, the support of Barangay Nutrition Scholars (BNS) and Barangay Health Workers (BHWs) as frontline workers in the communities is being tapped.